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Rack 'Em Up: DIY Drying Rack for Foodies and Homesteaders

Writer's picture: Nicole JavadiNicole Javadi

To keep up with the bountiful harvest of herbs and nuts we dry for tea, food, and medicine, we built a drying rack to add to our homestead. This functional & beautiful drying rack is built using guava wood from our farm and upcycled lumber, & designed to create abundant drying space for abundant harvests. Drying racks are a valuable addition to any homestead, especially if you are a gardener or herbalist. They offer an easy and efficient way to dry and preserve herbs, nuts, and other foods for later use. Not only can they help you save money by reducing waste, but they also allow you to create your own unique blends of teas, spices, and herbal remedies.


Materials we used:

  • Young Guava trunks x 4

  • Guava branches for support x4

  • Upcycled lumber at least 2” thick

  • Screen (enough to cover the back of each rack)

  • Staples and staple gun

  • Saw

  • Sandpaper

  • Drill and screws

  • Measuring tape

  • Pencil

  • Optional: wood stain or paint

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Wood

Start by measuring and cutting the upcycled wood to your desired length. For each drying rack, you’ll need four side pieces. Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. We made our frames 30” long and wide.

Step 2: Build the Frame

Lay out the side pieces to form the frame of the drying rack. Use a drill and screws to attach pieces into a square. Repeat this step for as many drying racks as you need.

Step 3: Attach the Screen

Cut the screen to fit the back of each drying rack. Use a staple gun to attach the screen to the frame, making sure it’s taut and secure.

Step 4: Create Support

Create the legs of your drying rack with 4 trunks or large branches. We used small guava trunks for the legs and guava branches as braces. We love the whimsical look of guava and it grows quickly and plentiful on our farm. Secure the 4 legs to one of your frames so that the other frames can stack overtop.

Step 5: Use and Enjoy!

Now that your herb drying racks are complete, it’s time to put them to use. Simply lay your herbs on the screen, making sure there’s enough space between them for air to circulate. Stack the drying racks to save space, and rotate the herbs every few days to ensure even drying. Before you know it, you’ll have a bounty of herbs to use in your cooking and healing practices.


Happy Drying!


Link to video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq7YpdXLBOk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link



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